Meet Jesus Benayas | MSEE, Electronic Engineer; Hobby in common history of Spain and the USA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesus Benayas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesus, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Most people are not interested in history, how did we get here?
Throughtout the years I realized the history of the United States its not told in its intirety. It magically starts with the English, Mayflower in 1620 and ignores the landing of Spanish Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida in 1513 (107 years earlier), or the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in California in 1542 (78 years earlier) and all the other explorations from Florida to California that Spain did in those 107 years before the Mayflower arrived.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The House of Spain in San Diego has over 500 years history and stories of the United States and the world. Starting with the arrival to what we call today “America” by Cristobal Colon in 1492, landing in Florida in 1513, sighting of the “Pacific Ocean” in 1513, exploration of the world and first circumnavagation in 1522, first settlement in California in 1769, helping in the American Revolution from 1774 to 1783, first U.S. dollar was a Spanish coin adopted by the United States along with the “$” sign.
It was never easy, and still is not easy. You overcome the challenges by talking to the people that are interested and moving along day by day. Most people do not care about history and many of them are embarrased for not knowing their history. There are a few people that are interested and amazed of how little they know about history, and they are very thankfull for learning these facts. Some people get upset/angry for the educational system not to teach these facts.

We just want the visitors of the world to know how we got here.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Balboa Park is an amazing place to visit, beauty, nature, art, culture, architecture, many museums and places to visit and a good restaurant “El Prado” to eat.
Cabrillo National Monument, Mission San Diego, Presidio Park and Old Town are great places to visit, and in Old Town there are many good restaurants to eat and drink.
Walk along the Embarcadero, and enjoy the view of the San Diego Bay, visit the Maritime Museum, the Aircraft Carrier. Seaport Village and the many places to eat along the way including the Gaslamp District, and the “Padres” baseball Park.
Cross the Coronado Bridge and visit the Coronado Hotel and walk along the beach and Down Town Coronado.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The House of Spain started in the mid 70’s with a group of Spaniards living in San Diego. Over the years we have worked with many groups in the community, such as the Sons of the American Revolution, Naval Base Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego Historical Society, House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park, University of San Diego, Naval Base San Diego, etc… too many people to thank and not possible to write all their names.

Website: https://www.houseofspainsd.org

Image Credits
Jan Wagner and Henry Herms for photos.